Watch Your Speed on I-5 (SF-LA)

[stupenal]

Originally Posted by jackal

They're all falling asleep because the 70mph speed limit puts you to sleep! I find myself much more alert when I'm forced to stay awake when driving at higher speeds (e.g. on the Autobahnen).

I think if you're falling asleep at 70 mph, then you shouldn't be driving, PERIOD.

[jackal]

Originally Posted by stupenal

I think if you're falling asleep at 70 mph, then you shouldn't be driving, PERIOD.

Falling asleep of boredom. Ever heard of highway fatigue? The best cure for it is high speeds.

[chanp]

www.valentineone.com


just watch out for laser

[john93711]

I do a roundtrip from Fresno to LA three or four times a month on the 99, and frankly plan to spend about half the time in a half mile line of cars while one truck tries to pass another truck at 56 MPH.

I've seen a lot of laser lately, so make sure your radar detector is positioned low on the windshield. Also consider removing the front license plate because it makes it extremely easy to get a laser fix on you (they are reflectorized).

[biggestbopper]

I know several people who have gotten tickets for no front plate. They were all from parking enforcement in Beverly Hills and West L.A.

Wonder if you get an extra violation added on if stopped for speeding and no front plate?

[jackal]

Originally Posted by john93711

I do a roundtrip from Fresno to LA three or four times a month on the 99, and frankly plan to spend about half the time in a half mile line of cars while one truck tries to pass another truck at 56 MPH.

California's 55mph limit for trucks is about the most insane, stupid speed limit anywhere. A large number of other states allow trucks to go 70 or even 75, including neighboring Nevada and Arizona, and there is no difference in road quality on I-10, I-40, or I-15 when you cross the border. Heck, I-5 through the Central Valley is actually even straighter, wider, and safer than 10 or 40 in Arizona and 15 in Nevada!

The research I've seen shows that differential speed limits actually increase the likelihood of accidents, since people have to change lanes to get around slower-moving vehicles.

Simply asinine.

[john93711]

Originally Posted by biggestbopper

I know several people who have gotten tickets for no front plate. They were all from parking enforcement in Beverly Hills and West L.A.

Wonder if you get an extra violation added on if stopped for speeding and no front plate?

It's a fix it ticket, which your cop neighbor can sign off on. This is only a $10 fine if corrected within 21 days. I've only gotten one of these in the six years I've been on the road.

[john93711]

Originally Posted by jackal

California's 55mph limit for trucks is about the most insane, stupid speed limit anywhere. A large number of other states allow trucks to go 70 or even 75, including neighboring Nevada and Arizona, and there is no difference in road quality on I-10, I-40, or I-15 when you cross the border. Heck, I-5 through the Central Valley is actually even straighter, wider, and safer than 10 or 40 in Arizona and 15 in Nevada!

The research I've seen shows that differential speed limits actually increase the likelihood of accidents, since people have to change lanes to get around slower-moving vehicles.

Simply asinine.

Completely asinine. The entire idea behind speed limits is to set the limit at 85th percentile to keep traffic at the same pace.

This two-class speed system creates a dangerous situation where one driver is going 85 and another 55.

I say let the professional drivers abide by the same laws as the rest of us.

[mlshanks]

Originally Posted by jackal

California's 55mph limit for trucks is about the most insane, stupid speed limit anywhere.

One reason for the differential is the relative difference between the braking power of automobiles and large trucks. On dry level pavement, a car going 65 can stop in roughly 316', while a truck going 55 takes 335' to stop.

The research I've seen shows that differential speed limits actually increase the likelihood of accidents, since people have to change lanes to get around slower-moving vehicles.

Can you cite some?

[jackal]

Originally Posted by mlshanks

Can you cite some?

"Effects of Raising and Lowering the Speed Limit on Selected Roadway Sections"
Final Report
Report No. FHWA/RD-92/084
June 1996
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration

"Synthesis of Speed Zoning Practices"
Report Number/Title: FHWA/RD-85/096
Martin R. Parker & Associates

"Did the 65 MPH Speed Limit Save Lives?"
Charles Lave, Chairman of the Department of Economics of the University of California, Irvine

"Speed Doesn’t Kill: The Repeal of the 55-MPH Speed Limit "
Stephen Moore
Cato Institute
May 1999

"Did Raising Freeway Speed Limits Affect Traffic Safety?"
Bennet K. Langlotz
Senior Analyst, National Motorists Association Foundation
March 1999

"Comparison of Speed Zoning Procedures and Their Effectiveness"
Final Report
Contract No. 89-1204
Michigan Department of Transportation
Traffic and Safety Division
Martin R. Parker & Associates
September 1992

New York DOT Study
(as announced in Gov. Pataki's office's press release March 9, 2000)

"The 36-Month Study Report on 65 MPH Speed Limit in New Jersey"
New Jersey Department of Transportation
James Weinstein, Commissioner
August 2001

"An empirical analysis of driver perceptions of the relationship between speed limits and safety"
Fred Mannering
Department of Civil Engineering and Economics, Purdue University
August 2008

"Speed Zoning In America: Some Preliminary Research Results"
U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration
November 1989

"Assessment of Current Speed Zoning Criteria"
Analysis Group, Inc.
January 1989

"Synthesis of Speed Zoning Practices"
U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration
July 1985

Manual of Transportation Engineering Studies
1st Edition, 1994

"A Recommended Speed Zoning Practice"
4M-25 Committee on Speed Zoning
Institute of Transportation Engineers
January 1996 (draft version)